You would think the prettiest bathrooms look even prettier with frameless glass shower doors. They make the space appear brighter and bigger and they let more light in when you are showering. When you go to select a shower door, there are not only a ton of options you did not even know you had to select from, but also options that you should have thought about BEFORE you even built your bathroom!

Before You Start

Before you even begin a bathroom or shower remodel, always talk about the shower door. If you want a glass shower door, you need to add extra support to the walls to accommodate the weight of the glass. If you are doing a steam shower, you should also think about adding in extra support to the ceiling. Even if you have not quite yet decided which way the door will swing and before you commit to a steam shower, you need to have a conversation with us at GlassWorks. We have extra support added regardless, so that our clients do not run into trouble alter when they do change their mind due to budget constraints!

Configuration

Your glass shower configuration of course will be determined by where your walls and where the shower head is. IF you have three walls, your option is rather clear. You have a Single Door with or without a glass panel, depending on the width of the opening. The side of the panel is determined by the swing of the door.

On the other hand, if you have a shower with two walls, then one wall should be a glass panel and the other will have the door. You need to ensure that you can open the door and turn on the shower without getting sprayed in your face! If you only have one wall, then the glass is on three sides.

Unfortunately, if you do not add the additional support in the walls before they are tiled, you will not be able to do many of the glass door options, so do not forget!

Glass Style

There are indeed several glass styles out there – colors or patterned. If you select one of these, then you may not have a choice of glass thickness.

Hinges

The one thing you want to know is that you do not want to see hinges. You want to see glass, so then you can really see the tile.

Kids’ Bathrooms

We like our clients to have a clean and open bathroom door for the kids’ baths too; however, this is often where you draw the line on the budget. We would rather our clients put more money in the master bath than the kids’ bath, so we tend to put a sliding glass door with a metal header. Of course this is not a frameless look, but it is a good runner up. We do not use flimsy shower doors from Home Depot but rather upgrade to a thicker glass. For us, it is all about the glass thickness.

We hope this helps you on your next bathroom project! Contact GlassWorks today by dialing 847-729-5582 or by emailing sales@glassworks.net to see what we can do for you about your glass shower doors.

When thinking about it, when do you think was the last time you washed, repaired and cleaned up your windows? Even new glass windows need to be washed, repaired and cleaned annually to let in proper light and keep your home clean and bright. Ideally, you should be washing, repairing and cleaning your windows twice a year or even more, but you need to ensure you do it the right way. If you are reaching for sheets of newspaper and towels, stop! All of that elbow grease is not only unnecessary, but it can also push dirt around and create a static charge that makes your windows more susceptible to dirt build-up and grime.

How to Wash Your Windows

Whether you are washing new windows or windows that have been installed several years ago, here is the proper way to keep them sparkling clean:

Use a Strip Applicator to Wash – This long-clothed head-strip applicator will soak up soapy water and apply it to the glass without scratching or etching at the surface.

Only a Small Amount of Soap is Necessary – There is absolutely no need for slathering on the soap. Rather, a bucket of warm water and a small squirt of dishwater detergent is all that is needed.

Use a Squeegee – Once the soapy water has been fully applied, use a squeegee in a Reverse-S pattern to remove the soap. At the end of each and every stroke, wipe the blade clean with a lint-free rag and then repeat the process until complete. For multi-pan windows, you may a need a smaller-sized squeegee to fit into the sections.

Dry the Drips – Remove any water that is remaining on the edges by a damp, wrung-dry chamois. This will end up soaking the moisture without leaving streaks or dust. Do not forget to dry up the windowsill too.

Use a Natural Sponge – For multi-pane windows that cannot use a large strip applicator, use a natural sponge to apply the soap into each single pane.

In Need of Replacement Windows?

Contact GlassWorks to explore your options. Contact us today by filling out an online contact form. We can answer your questions and also provide you with a free quote for replacement windows.

Of course double glazing and secondary glazing can make a huge different and impact to any home. The reason why is because these types of windows and any glass object will greatly insulate a property, leading to a much smaller amount of heat loss; therefore, an increased amount of comfort within the home. These windows and objects can also help cut down on heating bills and create an even more energy-efficient home.

Secondary glazing is often something that enthusiasts can end up installing for themselves. For others, secondary glazing might be a very appealing option due to its cost-effectiveness, but the client would much rather prefer that a professional fitted it instead. Double glazing; however, is something that requires professional installation.

With this in the back of your mind, it is extremely important to choose an expert glass service. This can make a huge different to the effectiveness of the products that you will end up investing in. If you end up choosing a good company in addition to quality products, you will be getting excellent value and service for your money too.

Value over cost is indeed something that you should be looking at first and foremost when you are trying to find a glass service provider. It is extremely tempting to go for a company that offers an exceptionally low price, but this can be false economy and misleading. What this means is that despite paying a very low price, the quality might not be up to par and might even be a waste of your hard earned money.

Rather than only looking at just price, also consider looking at the quality of the product and of the installation service it entails. Several companies will provide descriptions of how their windows are superior and better, whether they are double glazing or secondary glazing products. Please read up on all of the descriptions available, so you are more aware when it comes to comparing them and making your choice.

In addition to everything, you will also need to consider and look at the services provided, including how long it takes to manufacture your glass products, who will be working with you, and what kind of after sales care you can expect. All of these add up to create a service that is either value for money or a waste of your investment.

You need to think about finding a company that handles repairs and maintenance. This includes a company that is also able to deliver these services inside and outside of the warranty. There are several different glass companies that can be different when providing their manufacture and design, so it is crucial for the manufacturer or installer to be the company that fixes things should there ever be a problem.

The glass company may provide a low-cost package ideal for customers who have already bought products from them. This means that you get discounted maintenance and repair services later on if you encounter an issue. Consider working with this kind of glass company, as it can provide you with great peace of mind.

Last but not least, it is crucial to choose a glass company with experienced designers and installers. This might be self-explanatory, but experts in the field will be able to deliver you a higher quality service, which is important as double glazing and secondary glazing require a high standard of installation in order to be effective.

In summation, ensure that the glass company has experience in carrying out such a task on a property similar to yours, as this means that they are far more likely to be able to meet your particular needs. By following these tips, you are much more likely to enjoy an excellent glass company. Since 1977, GlassWorks has been Chicagoland’s leading glass installer. GlassWorks’ dedicated team of sales people, project managers, fabricators, and installer are ready to serve your residential or commercial glass needs. Contact GlassWorks today by dialing 847-729-5582 or by emailing sales@glassworks.net.

Project Overview

Visit GlassWorks latest work at the corner of Lincoln and Webster in the Heart of Lincoln Park.

Mrs. Green’s Grocery is a creative re-use of an existing parking garage. The facade was designed by award-winning architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz and it required GlassWork’s ingenuity and knowledge of glass and aluminum to bring this project in On Time – On Budget.

Visit the newest grocery in Lincoln Park while admiring GlassWork’s attention to detail and craftsmanship of the windows, canopy and architectural metal.

Goals & Challenges

Despite the “Polar Vortex of 2014” GlassWorks was able to install the project in time for the Grand Opening.

Project Overview

Glassworks congratulates all associated with Custom Home Magazine’s 2013 Custom Home of the Year – Lincoln Park Residence, Chicago.

Check out their beautiful reuse of a turn of the century structure into what Custom Home Magazine entitled a “‘Cool Concept, Great Design'” and a fulfillment of the “owners vision of a sophisticated family home in the hear of the city”

Goals & Challenges

Glassworks was asked to step up and deliver the glass railing system at the core of this award winning residence

Our Results

As always, our team safely and with flawless execution delivered and installed a beautiful product.

If you would like us to design, fabricate and install your glass project, contact us today!

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